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Growing under Lights

problems with light fixtures

19 years ago

Hi,

I have 2 24" Home-vue brand fluorescent strip.

I have them both on a timer the problem is they won't come on by themselves. I have to rub across the bulbs for them to come on.I've tried with other bulbs and it's the same.They were purchased at a home hardware store in Canada.

Has anyone experienced something like this before?

What would cause this?

Thanks

Mary-Jane

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Comments (3)

shrubs_n_bulbs
19 years ago
Could be a poor earth. Or a very cheap ballast. Or loose connections internally or to the end caps. Or is it very cold? All these things weaken the starting voltage and make it difficult to get the discharge going. Rubbing the bulbs helps to break down the mercury vapour a little to get things going.

I assume the tubes are the correct specification for your fitting?
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
19 years ago
Mary-Jane,

1. Check your voltage at the outlet, it may be low.
2. Try wrap a thin loose copper wire around the tube from end to end.

dcarch
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maryjanej
Original Author
19 years ago
Hi guys,
thanks for your help. It probably is the ballast.
Thanks
Mary-jane

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